Christmas Eve Salad
In most Mexican families, Christmas is celebrated on December 24th. Presents are opened at the stroke of midnight of the 25th after a day full of tamales and champurrado. Families pray and admire elaborate nativity scenes that have taken generations in collecting prized religious pieces and relics. The smell of planta gobernadora or creosote bush line the nativity scenes and release a distinct musty but pleasant aroma. The smell of Christmas.
Part of the festivities leading up to Christmas Eve are nine days of posadas. Beginning on December 16th, these novenas as they are called, represent each month of Mary’s pregnancy with Jesus.
Nine different homes host a posada every day, praying the rosary, re-enacting through song Mary and Joseph asking in-keepers for lodging. When they are finally recognized and allowed in the home, everyone gathers to pray, enjoy a feast, celebrate and sing villancicos (carols). Children break a piñata with a clay pot inside, full of fruit and candy and are given a bolo (goody bag) full of peanuts, oranges and colorful candies filled with peanuts or orange peel called colación. These pretty little candies are also given as a reward to those who kiss or “adore” baby Jesus once he’s been placed in the Nativity scene.
Ensalada de Noche Buena, or Christmas Eve Salad plays an intricate part of this traditional feast. Named after the Poinsettia (Noche Buena), which also means Christmas Eve in Spanish, it resembles the beauty and colorful plant that we are so fond of every holiday season. Arranged in a circle, similar to a flower and accented by bright crimson pomegranate arils, like jewels on a wreath, this delicious salad is sweet, savory and crunchy for all to enjoy.
Recipe developed for Nestle Kitchens.
Photo by Nestle Kitchens
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